Funeral Director From Howell In Six Flags' Coffin Challenge

JACKSON, NJ — What does it take to get compete against five other people by spending 30 hours in a coffin? A sense of adventure, a strong dose of humor ... and apparently, knowing your way around a coffin doesn't hurt, either.

That last one seems to be the reason a Howell Township woman who works as a funeral director was chosen as one of the six participants in this weekend's 30-Hour Coffin Challenge at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Leticia Gomez of Howell is the only New Jersey resident and one of two women among the six announced Monday by park officials. The six were chosen from more than 4,300 entries submitted from across the United States, said Kristin Fitzgerald, Six Flags spokeswoman.

Gomez is "no stranger to coffins," the news release from the park said. "She has worked as a funeral director for 25 years. Will her embalming skills help keep her composed during the challenge?"

She and the other five Coffin Dwellers are now taking on the challenge to lie in their wooden coffins for 30 hours this weekend. They will have a 6-minute bathroom break each hour, limited cell phone usage, meals in their coffins and unannounced visits from the Fright Fest freaks.

"Those who complete the 30 hours will receive two 2019 Gold Season Passes and Dining Passes, two Haunted Maze Express Passes, $300 and…they get to keep their coffins!" the park's news release said.

The other five Coffin Dwellers are:

Brandon Hardy of Bear, DE: A former paranormal investigator, Hardy is touted as "the only participant with previous experience sleeping in a coffin. ... He describes himself as 'fearless' and ready for any challenge."

Vincent Gatens of Staten Island, NY: "This adventurous Navy veteran has extensive experience living in dark, cramped spaces without daylight."

Jennifer Gorden of Philadelphia: "This Halloween fanatic declared that her dream job is to become a mortician."

Shane Madak of Groton, CT: "Currently active duty in the U.S. Navy on a nuclear submarine, he spends 70 percent of the year underwater and without cell service, internet and daylight, sleeping in 'coffin racks' -- tiny, cramped beds surrounded on all four sides, accessed by only a hole at the foot of the bed."

Dan Murter of Levittown, PA: "With a name reminiscent of the macabre, he was destined to make 'the three H’s' his life’s passion – Halloween, haunts and horror. His parents met at a Halloween party, and he met his wife while both were acting professionally in a haunt. Now, their children are helping to keep the family tradition dead, er, alive."

The contest begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, with a "Laying to Rest Ceremony" in the Demon District at Great Adventure, and ends at 7 p.m. Monday with a "Raising from the Dead Ceremony."

The 30-Hour Coffin Challenge is part of the park's Fright Fest festivities that run through Halloween.

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Photo provided by Six Flags Great Adventure shows the Coffin Challenge taking place at Six Flags St. Louis (formerly Six Flags over Mid-America